ABAP Date & Time Operations: Date Calculations, Timestamps

Category
ABAP-Statements
Published
Author
Johannes

Date & Time Operations in ABAP include date calculations, factory calendars, timestamps and time zone conversion. Modern classes like CL_ABAP_DATFM complement the classic function modules.

Data Types

TypeFormatExample
D (DATS)YYYYMMDD20241124
T (TIMS)HHMMSS143052
TIMESTAMPLYYYYMMDDHHMMSS.sssssss20241124143052.1234567
TIMESTAMPYYYYMMDDHHMMSS20241124143052

Examples

1. Basic Date Calculations

DATA: lv_date    TYPE sy-datum,
      lv_days    TYPE i.


" Current date
lv_date = sy-datum.


" Add/subtract days
lv_date = sy-datum + 30.      " 30 days later
lv_date = sy-datum - 7.       " 7 days earlier


" Difference between dates
lv_days = sy-datum - '20240101'.
WRITE: / 'Days since start of year:', lv_days.


" Decompose date
DATA: lv_year  TYPE n LENGTH 4,
      lv_month TYPE n LENGTH 2,
      lv_day   TYPE n LENGTH 2.


lv_year  = sy-datum(4).
lv_month = sy-datum+4(2).
lv_day   = sy-datum+6(2).


" Assemble date
lv_date = |{ lv_year }{ lv_month }{ lv_day }|.

2. Month and Year Calculations

DATA: lv_date TYPE sy-datum.


" Add months
CALL FUNCTION 'RP_CALC_DATE_IN_INTERVAL'
  EXPORTING
    date      = sy-datum
    days      = 0
    months    = 3           " 3 months
    signum    = '+'
    years     = 0
  IMPORTING
    calc_date = lv_date.


" Add years
CALL FUNCTION 'RP_CALC_DATE_IN_INTERVAL'
  EXPORTING
    date      = sy-datum
    days      = 0
    months    = 0
    signum    = '+'
    years     = 1           " 1 year
  IMPORTING
    calc_date = lv_date.




" Get month start
DATA(lv_month_start) = sy-datum.
lv_month_start+6(2) = '01'.


" Get month end
CALL FUNCTION 'RP_LAST_DAY_OF_MONTHS'
  EXPORTING
    day_in            = sy-datum
  IMPORTING
    last_day_of_month = lv_date.


" Quarter start
DATA(lv_quarter) = ( ( sy-datum+4(2) - 1 ) DIV 3 ) * 3 + 1.
DATA(lv_quarter_start) = |{ sy-datum(4) }{ lv_quarter WIDTH = 2 ALIGN = RIGHT PAD = '0' }01|.

3. Weekday and Calendar Week

DATA: lv_weekday TYPE p,
      lv_week    TYPE scal-week.


" Weekday (1=Monday, 7=Sunday)
CALL FUNCTION 'DAY_IN_WEEK'
  EXPORTING
    datum = sy-datum
  IMPORTING
    woession  = lv_weekday.


CASE lv_weekday.
  WHEN 1. WRITE: / 'Monday'.
  WHEN 2. WRITE: / 'Tuesday'.
  WHEN 3. WRITE: / 'Wednesday'.
  WHEN 4. WRITE: / 'Thursday'.
  WHEN 5. WRITE: / 'Friday'.
  WHEN 6. WRITE: / 'Saturday'.
  WHEN 7. WRITE: / 'Sunday'.
ENDCASE.


" Calendar week
CALL FUNCTION 'DATE_GET_WEEK'
  EXPORTING
    date = sy-datum
  IMPORTING
    week = lv_week.


WRITE: / 'Calendar week:', lv_week.  " Format: YYYYWW

4. Factory Calendar

DATA: lv_workdays   TYPE i,
      lv_target_date TYPE sy-datum.


" Working days between two dates
CALL FUNCTION 'RKE_SELECT_FACTDAYS_FOR_PERIOD'
  EXPORTING
    i_datab        = '20240101'
    i_datbi        = '20240131'
    i_factid       = '01'        " Factory calendar ID
  IMPORTING
    e_factdays     = lv_workdays.


WRITE: / 'Working days in January:', lv_workdays.




" Add working days
CALL FUNCTION 'BKK_ADD_WORKINGDAY'
  EXPORTING
    i_date        = sy-datum
    i_days        = 5            " 5 working days
    i_calendar_id = '01'
  IMPORTING
    e_date        = lv_target_date.


WRITE: / 'In 5 working days:', lv_target_date.




" Check if working day
CALL FUNCTION 'DATE_CHECK_WORKINGDAY'
  EXPORTING
    date                       = sy-datum
    factory_calendar_id        = '01'
  EXCEPTIONS
    date_after_range           = 1
    date_before_range          = 2
    date_invalid               = 3
    date_no_workingday         = 4
    factory_calendar_not_found = 5
    OTHERS                     = 6.


IF sy-subrc = 0.
  WRITE: / 'Today is a working day'.
ELSEIF sy-subrc = 4.
  WRITE: / 'Today is not a working day'.
ENDIF.

5. Holidays

DATA: lt_holidays TYPE TABLE OF iscal_day.


" Holidays for a year
CALL FUNCTION 'HOLIDAY_GET'
  EXPORTING
    holiday_calendar           = 'DE'        " Holiday calendar
    date_from                  = '20240101'
    date_to                    = '20241231'
  TABLES
    holidays                   = lt_holidays
  EXCEPTIONS
    factory_calendar_not_found = 1
    holiday_calendar_not_found = 2
    date_has_invalid_format    = 3
    date_inconsistency         = 4
    OTHERS                     = 5.


IF sy-subrc = 0.
  LOOP AT lt_holidays INTO DATA(ls_holiday).
    WRITE: / ls_holiday-date, ls_holiday-holiday_text.
  ENDLOOP.
ENDIF.




" Check if holiday
CALL FUNCTION 'HOLIDAY_CHECK_AND_GET_INFO'
  EXPORTING
    date                       = sy-datum
    holiday_calendar_id        = 'DE'
  IMPORTING
    holiday_found              = DATA(lv_is_holiday)
  EXCEPTIONS
    OTHERS                     = 1.


IF lv_is_holiday = abap_true.
  WRITE: / 'Today is a holiday'.
ENDIF.

6. Timestamps

DATA: lv_timestamp  TYPE timestamp,
      lv_timestampl TYPE timestampl.


" Current timestamp
GET TIME STAMP FIELD lv_timestampl.
WRITE: / 'Timestamp:', lv_timestampl.


" Create timestamp from date/time
CONVERT DATE sy-datum TIME sy-uzeit
  INTO TIME STAMP lv_timestamp TIME ZONE sy-zonlo.


" Convert timestamp to date/time
DATA: lv_date TYPE sy-datum,
      lv_time TYPE sy-uzeit.


CONVERT TIME STAMP lv_timestamp TIME ZONE sy-zonlo
  INTO DATE lv_date TIME lv_time.


WRITE: / 'Date:', lv_date, 'Time:', lv_time.




" Timestamp difference
DATA: lv_ts1 TYPE timestampl,
      lv_ts2 TYPE timestampl,
      lv_diff TYPE timestampl.


GET TIME STAMP FIELD lv_ts1.
" ... processing ...
GET TIME STAMP FIELD lv_ts2.


lv_diff = lv_ts2 - lv_ts1.  " Difference in seconds
WRITE: / 'Duration:', lv_diff, 'seconds'.

7. Time Zones

DATA: lv_timestamp TYPE timestamp,
      lv_date_utc  TYPE sy-datum,
      lv_time_utc  TYPE sy-uzeit,
      lv_date_loc  TYPE sy-datum,
      lv_time_loc  TYPE sy-uzeit.


GET TIME STAMP FIELD lv_timestamp.


" Convert to UTC
CONVERT TIME STAMP lv_timestamp TIME ZONE 'UTC'
  INTO DATE lv_date_utc TIME lv_time_utc.


" Convert to local time
CONVERT TIME STAMP lv_timestamp TIME ZONE sy-zonlo
  INTO DATE lv_date_loc TIME lv_time_loc.


WRITE: / 'UTC:', lv_date_utc, lv_time_utc.
WRITE: / 'Local:', lv_date_loc, lv_time_loc.




" Get time zone from plant
SELECT SINGLE tzone FROM t001w
  WHERE werks = '1000'
  INTO @DATA(lv_timezone).


CONVERT TIME STAMP lv_timestamp TIME ZONE lv_timezone
  INTO DATE lv_date_loc TIME lv_time_loc.

8. Format Date

DATA: lv_date      TYPE sy-datum VALUE '20241124',
      lv_formatted TYPE string.


" With string templates
lv_formatted = |{ lv_date DATE = USER }|.          " User format
lv_formatted = |{ lv_date DATE = ISO }|.           " 2024-11-24
lv_formatted = |{ lv_date DATE = ENVIRONMENT }|.  " System format


WRITE: / lv_formatted.




" With function module
CALL FUNCTION 'CONVERT_DATE_TO_EXTERNAL'
  EXPORTING
    date_internal = lv_date
  IMPORTING
    date_external = lv_formatted.




" Custom format
lv_formatted = |{ lv_date+6(2) }.{ lv_date+4(2) }.{ lv_date(4) }|.
" 24.11.2024

9. Format Time

DATA: lv_time      TYPE sy-uzeit VALUE '143052',
      lv_formatted TYPE string.


" With string templates
lv_formatted = |{ lv_time TIME = USER }|.
lv_formatted = |{ lv_time TIME = ISO }|.   " 14:30:52


" Custom format
lv_formatted = |{ lv_time(2) }:{ lv_time+2(2) }|.  " 14:30

10. Date Validation

DATA: lv_date TYPE sy-datum VALUE '20240230'.  " Invalid: Feb 30


" Check with function module
CALL FUNCTION 'DATE_CHECK_PLAUSIBILITY'
  EXPORTING
    date                      = lv_date
  EXCEPTIONS
    plausibility_check_failed = 1
    OTHERS                    = 2.


IF sy-subrc <> 0.
  WRITE: / 'Invalid date'.
ENDIF.




" Simple check
IF lv_date IS INITIAL OR lv_date = '00000000'.
  WRITE: / 'Date is empty'.
ENDIF.


" Range check
IF lv_date < '19000101' OR lv_date > '99991231'.
  WRITE: / 'Date outside valid range'.
ENDIF.

11. Date Helper Class

CLASS zcl_date_helper DEFINITION.
  PUBLIC SECTION.
    CLASS-METHODS: add_days
      IMPORTING iv_date        TYPE sy-datum
                iv_days        TYPE i
      RETURNING VALUE(rv_date) TYPE sy-datum.


    CLASS-METHODS: add_months
      IMPORTING iv_date        TYPE sy-datum
                iv_months      TYPE i
      RETURNING VALUE(rv_date) TYPE sy-datum.


    CLASS-METHODS: add_workdays
      IMPORTING iv_date        TYPE sy-datum
                iv_days        TYPE i
                iv_calendar    TYPE scal-fcalid DEFAULT '01'
      RETURNING VALUE(rv_date) TYPE sy-datum.


    CLASS-METHODS: get_month_start
      IMPORTING iv_date        TYPE sy-datum
      RETURNING VALUE(rv_date) TYPE sy-datum.


    CLASS-METHODS: get_month_end
      IMPORTING iv_date        TYPE sy-datum
      RETURNING VALUE(rv_date) TYPE sy-datum.


    CLASS-METHODS: get_quarter
      IMPORTING iv_date          TYPE sy-datum
      RETURNING VALUE(rv_quarter) TYPE i.


    CLASS-METHODS: is_workday
      IMPORTING iv_date          TYPE sy-datum
                iv_calendar      TYPE scal-fcalid DEFAULT '01'
      RETURNING VALUE(rv_result) TYPE abap_bool.


    CLASS-METHODS: get_weekday_name
      IMPORTING iv_date        TYPE sy-datum
      RETURNING VALUE(rv_name) TYPE string.
ENDCLASS.


CLASS zcl_date_helper IMPLEMENTATION.
  METHOD add_days.
    rv_date = iv_date + iv_days.
  ENDMETHOD.


  METHOD add_months.
    CALL FUNCTION 'RP_CALC_DATE_IN_INTERVAL'
      EXPORTING
        date      = iv_date
        days      = 0
        months    = abs( iv_months )
        signum    = COND #( WHEN iv_months >= 0 THEN '+' ELSE '-' )
        years     = 0
      IMPORTING
        calc_date = rv_date.
  ENDMETHOD.


  METHOD add_workdays.
    CALL FUNCTION 'BKK_ADD_WORKINGDAY'
      EXPORTING
        i_date        = iv_date
        i_days        = iv_days
        i_calendar_id = iv_calendar
      IMPORTING
        e_date        = rv_date
      EXCEPTIONS
        OTHERS        = 1.


    IF sy-subrc <> 0.
      rv_date = iv_date + iv_days.  " Fallback
    ENDIF.
  ENDMETHOD.


  METHOD get_month_start.
    rv_date = iv_date.
    rv_date+6(2) = '01'.
  ENDMETHOD.


  METHOD get_month_end.
    CALL FUNCTION 'RP_LAST_DAY_OF_MONTHS'
      EXPORTING
        day_in            = iv_date
      IMPORTING
        last_day_of_month = rv_date.
  ENDMETHOD.


  METHOD get_quarter.
    rv_quarter = ( ( iv_date+4(2) - 1 ) DIV 3 ) + 1.
  ENDMETHOD.


  METHOD is_workday.
    CALL FUNCTION 'DATE_CHECK_WORKINGDAY'
      EXPORTING
        date                = iv_date
        factory_calendar_id = iv_calendar
      EXCEPTIONS
        date_no_workingday  = 4
        OTHERS              = 1.


    rv_result = xsdbool( sy-subrc = 0 ).
  ENDMETHOD.


  METHOD get_weekday_name.
    DATA: lv_day TYPE p.


    CALL FUNCTION 'DAY_IN_WEEK'
      EXPORTING datum = iv_date
      IMPORTING woession  = lv_day.


    rv_name = SWITCH #( lv_day
      WHEN 1 THEN 'Monday'
      WHEN 2 THEN 'Tuesday'
      WHEN 3 THEN 'Wednesday'
      WHEN 4 THEN 'Thursday'
      WHEN 5 THEN 'Friday'
      WHEN 6 THEN 'Saturday'
      WHEN 7 THEN 'Sunday'
    ).
  ENDMETHOD.
ENDCLASS.




" Usage
DATA(lv_next_month) = zcl_date_helper=>add_months( iv_date = sy-datum iv_months = 1 ).
DATA(lv_month_end) = zcl_date_helper=>get_month_end( sy-datum ).
DATA(lv_weekday) = zcl_date_helper=>get_weekday_name( sy-datum ).


WRITE: / 'Next month:', lv_next_month,
       / 'Month end:', lv_month_end,
       / 'Weekday:', lv_weekday.

12. Calculate Time Difference

" Seconds between two time points
DATA: lv_date1 TYPE sy-datum VALUE '20240101',
      lv_time1 TYPE sy-uzeit VALUE '080000',
      lv_date2 TYPE sy-datum VALUE '20240102',
      lv_time2 TYPE sy-uzeit VALUE '170000',
      lv_seconds TYPE i.


" Calculate as timestamps
DATA: lv_ts1 TYPE timestamp,
      lv_ts2 TYPE timestamp.


CONVERT DATE lv_date1 TIME lv_time1
  INTO TIME STAMP lv_ts1 TIME ZONE 'UTC'.


CONVERT DATE lv_date2 TIME lv_time2
  INTO TIME STAMP lv_ts2 TIME ZONE 'UTC'.


lv_seconds = cl_abap_tstmp=>subtract(
  tstmp1 = lv_ts2
  tstmp2 = lv_ts1
).


DATA(lv_hours) = lv_seconds / 3600.
WRITE: / 'Difference:', lv_hours, 'hours'.

13. Performance Measurement

DATA: lv_start TYPE timestampl,
      lv_end   TYPE timestampl,
      lv_runtime TYPE p DECIMALS 3.


GET TIME STAMP FIELD lv_start.


" Execute code
LOOP AT lt_data INTO DATA(ls_data).
  " Processing...
ENDLOOP.


GET TIME STAMP FIELD lv_end.


" Runtime in seconds
lv_runtime = cl_abap_tstmp=>subtract(
  tstmp1 = lv_end
  tstmp2 = lv_start
).


WRITE: / 'Runtime:', lv_runtime, 'seconds'.

14. SQL Date Functions

" Modern Open SQL with date functions
SELECT vbeln, erdat,
       DATS_DAYS_BETWEEN( erdat, @sy-datum ) AS days_ago,
       DATS_ADD_DAYS( erdat, 30 ) AS plus_30,
       DATS_ADD_MONTHS( erdat, 1 ) AS plus_month
  FROM vbak
  WHERE erdat >= DATS_ADD_DAYS( @sy-datum, -365 )
  INTO TABLE @DATA(lt_orders).


" Group by month
SELECT EXTRACT( YEAR FROM erdat ) AS year,
       EXTRACT( MONTH FROM erdat ) AS month,
       COUNT(*) AS count,
       SUM( netwr ) AS total
  FROM vbak
  GROUP BY EXTRACT( YEAR FROM erdat ), EXTRACT( MONTH FROM erdat )
  INTO TABLE @DATA(lt_monthly).

15. Date in RAP

" CDS View with date calculations
@AbapCatalog.viewEnhancementCategory: [#NONE]
define view entity ZI_OrderDates as select from vbak
{
  key vbeln,
      erdat,


      @Semantics.systemDate.createdAt: true
      erdat as CreatedAt,


      // Calculated fields
      dats_days_between(erdat, $session.system_date) as DaysAgo,
      dats_add_days(erdat, 30) as DueDate
}

Important Function Modules

Function ModuleDescription
RP_CALC_DATE_IN_INTERVALAdd months/years
RP_LAST_DAY_OF_MONTHSMonth end
DATE_GET_WEEKCalendar week
DAY_IN_WEEKWeekday
HOLIDAY_GETHolidays
DATE_CHECK_WORKINGDAYCheck working day
BKK_ADD_WORKINGDAYAdd working days

Important Notes / Best Practice

  • sy-datum/sy-uzeit only for current time, do not manipulate.
  • Timestamps for precise time measurement and time zones.
  • Factory calendar for business logic with working days.
  • GET TIME STAMP instead of sy-uzeit for precision.
  • UTC for storage, local time for display.
  • String templates for formatting: |{ date DATE = ISO }|.
  • Date functions in SQL available from ABAP 7.50.
  • Validation before calculations.
  • Combine with Built-in Functions for more operations.